Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 552: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will release details of the Garda investigation into the Wellington Quay bus crash of 2004, specifically what the Garda concluded as to the cause of the accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13930/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident which occurred on Wellington Quay in 2004 involving a double-decker bus and which resulted in fatal injuries to five persons and serious injuries to others, was the subject of a criminal investigation by members of An Garda Síochána. I am further informed that an investigation file was submitted to the Law Officers and in September, 2004 directions were received to prosecute the bus driver for offences contrary to the Road Traffic Acts, 1961 — 2007, including dangerous driving causing death. The case was before the Courts in 2007 and the driver was found not guilty of these offences. As the Deputy will appreciate, I have no role in the investigation or prosecution of cases and the courts are independent — subject only to the Constitution and the law — in the exercise of their judicial functions.